Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My comments relate to the Bill generally to some extent. I welcome Dr. Mary Aiken, with whom I have had constructive dealings. I acknowledge the work of Senator Freeman on this issue. She is very passionate about it. I have discussed it with her on many occasions and I totally support the spirit and intention of the Bill. I do not know where it will all end in terms of what people will have to put up with online and how the Minister in his portfolio is expected to deal with the level of horrific content that exists.

I put up a positive tweet about the Taoiseach's polling performance and received more than 100 of the most negative comments, both personal and otherwise. I have not read most of them, but the most recent was a threat on my life. It asked whether I remember what happened to Jo Cox MP, and stated that I should be buried alive like the rest of my parasite colleagues. I do not care how many followers the person who sent that tweet has. It is a threat and should be taken down automatically by Twitter. I offer it as an example of my experience because I cannot keep track of the negative comments I receive. I know the Bill relates to children and they should be our primary concern, but even for adults, where will it all end? When a digital safety commissioner is in place, will he or she be able to cope with issues such as getting Twitter content such as that tweet taken down? I do not know. Is it a matter for the Garda? Arguably, it is a matter for the Garda when a comment such as that is made online.

The Minister has been very proactive and constructive since taking over his portfolio and I am heartened by his comments. He is working hard on these issues. When he states that he is taking into account some of the measures in the Bill, I know that is true and will happen. There is a wider debate in society about how we are willing to communicate with one another and what is deemed acceptable. We must recognise that we, as Senators, are leaders and that if we are vicious in our dealings with one another in the Chamber, that will seep into wider society. I acknowledge that my comments do not relate to the section, but I wished to make those points. I thank the Acting Chair for her indulgence.